Nea Poteidaia and the impressive Poteidaia Canal are the first things that tourists see at the entrance to Cassandra
"The Gate of Cassandra" was for a long time another name of the town of Nea Poteidaia. Entering the peninsula of Cassandra, one cannot help noticing its picturesque landscapes. The narrow isthmus connects the mainland part of the Chalkidiki peninsula with the first "finger", and therefore a view of the bay opens on both sides. It has taken for Nea Poteidaia less than 100 years, to become one of the most prosperous resorts in Chalkidiki.
Brief history from past to present
The first settlements on the site of modern Nea Poteidaia appeared in the Neolithic Age, but in ancient times this area was called Pallini. It used to be the name of the whole Cassandra peninsula. The modern city appeared in the 1920s on the site of ancient Poteidaia, a strong city that belonged to the Athenian Union and took part in the Battle of Plateia.
After the revival of Nea Poteidaia, like many other settlements in Chalkidiki, it was inhabited and rebuilt by refugees from Asia Minor. For several decades, it was famous as an agricultural area, but eventually it turned into a popular resort. Today you can find hotels on any budget and apartments for rent. In addition, the Greeks themselves are happy to choose Nea Poteidaia as a place to build summer houses.
What to look at in Nea Poteidaia and nearby
The main attraction of Nea Poteidaia is the Poteidaia Canal, which became the visiting card of the resort. It existed in ancient times and contributed to the prosperity of the city, making it easier to establish trade links and navigate. The canal was rebuilt in the 1930s, but only in the 70s an18-meter bridge was built. Before that time people and cargo were ferried.
The remains of fortress walls testify the long and rich history of Nea Poteidaia. They were erected under Justinian, when the city flourished. The walls blocked the way from the mainland to the peninsula. During the next attack the fortifications were destroyed, and then they were partially restored by the Venetians.
Another interesting attraction of Nea Poteidaia is the Church of the Holy Archangels. It was built in 1872 from materials of ancient buildings belonging to one of Athos’s monasteries. The main church of the city was the church of Saint George. It keeps an old icon, brought by the settlers. Nea Poteidaia, like all of Greece, did not ignore the tragic events of 1821. The monument to the heroes and victims of a difficult historical period is located in the city.
The location of Nea Poteidaia makes the resort an excellent starting point for exploring the nearby attractions. First, you cannot help to go to Thessaloniki, a large city with ancient monuments, rich cultural life and great opportunities for leisure. Secondly, it is convenient to reach the cities of Cassandra from Nea Poteidaia. You can travel to the picturesque Afytos with authentic architecture, the bustling Kallithea and the charming resort town of Nea Fokea. A few minutes from Nea Poteidaia is situated the dynamic resort of Nea Moudania, where the Museum of Fishing Vessels operates, also there are many shops and a beautiful spacious promenade. In summer, the Sardine Festival with colorful cultural events is held here.
Beaches of Nea Poteidaia
The coastline of Nea Poteidaia stretches for 2 km. This is the narrowest part of the peninsula; there you can swim in the waters of the Aegean Sea, and then in the Bay of Toroneos. Tourists like the beach from the side of the bay more because of a more spacious and flat beach. In addition, it is regularly awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness. The beach of Nea Poteidaia is covered with a mixture of shallow pebbles and sand, but you can find completely sandy plots. Here you can find everything that a developed resort should offer, from cabanas for changing clothes and chaise lounges to bars.
Infrastructure and entertainment
Nea Poteidaia is a typical resort town, so tourists are difficult to get bored here. You can rent a car in local offices and explore the surroundings, take diving lessons at the water sports center or visit shops, cosmetics and children's goods’ stores. At the pier of Nea Poteidaia, you can rent a boat for fishing at dawn or buy a ticket for a cruise.
All the entertainment in Nea Poteidaia is concentrated on the central square and the waterfront. Here there are restaurants, including fresh seafood dishes, traditional taverns with live music, and bars. However, you could not find noisy parties in Nea Poteidaia. The resort has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. The "useful" infrastructure of the city includes pharmacies, supermarkets, and health centers.
